Cold Boy's Wood

A body has been found in a mudslide near Andwiston, and the locals in the pub are discussing murder. Dan, a mechanic who is often drunk, is struggling to remember his memories. Lorna, a lost soul living in the woods, is haunted by ghosts and a vision from her childhood. Cold Boy's Wood is a brilliant and timely novel about loneliness, buried secrets, and the havoc they play on the mind. It is a haunting murder mystery that also explores the damaged souls of its characters. Carol Birch's prose is vigorous and her words sing on the page.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2021
Publisher: Head of Zeus

Did you hear? A massive landslide occurred near Ercol last night. The road leading to Gully is now closed off, and they have found a body. Police tape has been set up, indicating that it might be a murder case. It's interesting that they only resort to such measures for murder, isn't it?

A body has been discovered in a mudslide near the village of Andwiston. In the local pub, people are discussing the possibility of murder, but Dan, a mechanic who struggles with alcoholism, finds it difficult to sort through his fragmented memories. Meanwhile, Lorna, a lost soul who lives in the woods, is haunted by ghosts and a vivid vision from her childhood: a cold boy standing alone in Gallinger's field.

Cold Boy's Wood is a captivating and timely novel that delves into the themes of loneliness, buried secrets, and the profound impact they have on the mind. Carol Birch, a Booker-shortlisted author, masterfully combines the ghost story with sharp psychological insight, creating an arresting and thought-provoking narrative.

Birch's writing is characterized by her natural literary prowess, as she can evoke deep emotions with simple imagery. Her prose possesses an irresistible vigor, and her words dance across the page, creating a vivid and immersive reading experience.

At its core, Cold Boy's Wood is a human story that explores the complexities of the human psyche. Birch skillfully weaves together the supernatural elements with the psychological, creating a double portrait of damaged souls. The characters are deeply flawed, their motivations and actions often shrouded in mystery, adding to the suspense and intrigue of the narrative.

The setting of the novel, the woods surrounding Andwiston, adds an atmospheric and eerie dimension to the story. Birch expertly captures the essence of the forest, its quietness, its hidden dangers, and the sense of isolation that Lorna experiences. The woods become a metaphor for the inner turmoil and emotional baggage that the characters carry, and their interactions with the natural world further enrich the narrative.

One of the standout aspects of Cold Boy's Wood is Birch's ability to delve into the psychological depths of her characters. She explores the effects of loneliness, trauma, and the search for meaning in life, and how these emotions can manifest in destructive behaviors. The characters' inner struggles are palpable, and the reader is drawn into their emotional journeys, empathizing with their pain and confusion.

The novel also touches upon the power of secrets and the consequences of keeping them buried. Birch skillfully weaves the threads of the past and present together, revealing the hidden connections between the characters and shedding light on the events that have shaped their lives. The secrets that they carry weigh heavily on their hearts, and their attempts to confront and overcome them add to the tension and drama of the story.

Cold Boy's Wood is a haunting murder mystery that is also a double portrait of damaged souls. Birch's prose is elegant and evocative, and her storytelling is masterful. The novel is a testament to her talent as a writer and her ability to create compelling and thought-provoking narratives that resonate with readers long after they finish the last page.

Weight: 248g
Dimension: 129 x 199 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838939434